Joy…in life and death
Pastor Jim Fikkert
Paul is not only joyful in his current, difficult situation. He is also joyful about what is to come. How can this be? How can he be sure of what is unsure? It is because Paul has a certainty in life and death that carries him through all that life has to offer.
Joy…in proclaiming
Pastor Jim Fikkert
Paul’s life was a laundry list of struggles, and yet his explanation of these challenges is: it served to advance the the gospel. He reads everything through the lens of Jesus Christ crucified. This is not because he is denying the difficulty, but because the joy of being part of God’s mission to redeem His […]
Joy…in partnership
Pastor Jim Fikkert
The story of redemption is about God redeeming and gathering a people to worship and serve Him in unity. While we wait for the completion of this, we are united to others in the church though a shared mission: to make Jesus known and loved.
Joy…in Christ
Pastor Jim Fikkert
The letter to the church in Philippi starts as most letters do: identifying the writer, the recipient, and giving a blessing. As we begin this letter, we investigate the relationship between the writer and the church as well as his purpose for writing. Spoiler: it’s about JOY.
How shall we then give?
Pastor Jim Fikkert
Taking on a giving posture means that we begin to start looking for places to serve. But where do we look? How do we know what giving God is calling us to? Peter gives us some guidance.
…so we give
Pastor Jim Fikkert
The gift of Jesus Christ demands a response, and the response the Bible lays out for us is thanksgiving. This thanksgiving is not just a feeling, but a spirit of gratitude that shows itself in generosity. As Christians, we should give, not because of what we get in return, but because giving is an opportunity […]
He gave…
Pastor Jim Fikkert
John 1 offers us a unique picture of the gift of Jesus Christ, by placing this moment into the span of eternity. What this does for us is shows us that while Jesus birth, life, death, and resurrection had minimal affects within human history (from the standpoint of events), it was the pinnacle of God’s […]
1 Samuel 31 | Draw your Sword
Pastor Jim Fikkert
We end the book of 1 Samuel with the end of Saul. As we come to the end of his life, we see how the decisions of Saul’s life have led to a destruction of everything around him: his sons are dead, his army decimated, and the nation of Israel is on the run. In […]
1 Samuel 30 | This is David’s spoil
Pastor Jim Fikkert
David and his men return home after bring rescued from their awkward situation in the Philistine army, only to find that their city has been burned and the women and children taken. David goes to God for strength, guidance, and hope in the midst of his suffering. This story teaches us a bit about faith, suffering, […]
1 Samuel 28 | The Lord has turned from you
Pastor Jim Fikkert
Saul has reached his breaking point and pursues help…in the form of a witch. He is frustrated by God’s lack of communication, so he channels the one prophet who always knew what to say: Samuel. If he expected Samuel to join his pity party, he was wrong. Samuel rebukes him and then adds to his […]
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